Door latch construction



Aug. 28, 1945. w. R. WILEY DOOR LATCH CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 2, 1941 INVENTOR 9' TTORNEY Aug. 28,1945. w, wlLEY 2,383,576

DOOR LATCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Qct. 2, 1941 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 5IN VEN TOR Aug. 28, 1945. w. R. WILEY 2,383,576

DOOR LATCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 2, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

INVENTOR Patented Aug. 28, 1945 l'lD STATES FATE r OFFICE noon LATCH CONSTRUCTION William R. Wiley; Birmingham, Mich.

Application October 2, 1941, Serial No. 413,265

11 Claims.

an improved construction of the type mentioned in which the door may be closed and positively latched with very little effort and by the application of very little force.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a latch construction designed and intended for use principally in connection with the doors of automotive vehicles in which the latch will serve to retain the door positively restrained against opening movements and yet at the same time permit relatively free, limited, longitudinal movement of the latch with respect to the keeper in order to compensate for variations in the relative position of the latching keeper due to flexing of the vehicle body.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved door latching constructions of the type mentioned in which the door is positively latched against opening at any one of a plurality of positions, but in which the door may be easily closed to its inner position from one of its outer latched positions.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved latching mechanism including a retractible plunger, ball members and a keeper in which these elements are so constructed and are in such a relationship to each other, particularly in the relationship of the surfaces of the keeper and plunger engaged by the balls, that there is positive interference against opening of the door while there is also adjustability in the closing of the door.

A further object of the invention is the provision of latching mechanism of the type mentioned in which an improved and simplified structure for releasing the balls from their latching position is provided.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved constructions including lining soft surfaces with hard materials, in such parts as the plunger and the keeper, thereby effecting considerable emonomy in manufacture and assuring long life in the latch.

Still further, an important object of the invention consists in the provision of a keeper having a pair of series of inclined cam surfaces, each of which. is adapted to engage the latch mechanism and urge the door toward closed position when the latch is engaged and in which the cam surfaces of one series are offset from the cam surfaces of the other series in order that at least one cam surface will at all times be constantly tending to urge the door toward closed position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved manner of mounting the handle shaft with respect to one of the cams of the structure through an'opening in the casing of a particular shape, thereby providing stops and preventing rattling of the handle shaft and cam.

A further object of the invention is the provision-of improved and simplified control means preventing latching from the inside of the automobile unless premeditated through a positive action by the operator.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of improved ball spring retainers.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved construction and arrangement between the plunger and the casing within which the plunger projects so that the plunger is positively aligned and guided in its movement from its retracted to its outward position within thehousing.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, the drawings relating thereto and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like parts in the several views throughout:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of an automotive vehicle having a'l atching mechanism according to the present invention associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational and crosssectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is aside elevational view with parts in cross-section taken in the direction of the arrow 3 on Fig. 2 showing the elements'in latching position; I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view taken substantially along the line'44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the parts in a different position;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating the parts inunlatched position;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line l--1 of'Fig. 3';

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially alonge the line 88 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the plunger, the liner therefor, and the balls and ball spring retainers;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing parts in cross-section, and taken from the opposite side of the latching mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a partial elevational view similar to Figs. 3 and 6, illustrating the parts in a different position in which the latch is locked by mechanism operated from the inside of the car;

Fig. 12 is a partial View of a portion of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 11 with parts in cross section illustrating certain details of the operating mechanism;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of one form of keeper according to the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line l4|4 of Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 illustrating another form of keeper according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1 a portion of the side of an automobile, generally indicated that it may be swung open.

According to the present invention, a latching means generally indicated at [8 is provided which includes a supporting means mounted on the door [2 adjacent that edge of the door beside the pillar. The supporting means comprises a plate 23 having another plate 22 integral with one edge of the plate and at a right angle thereto. The support is adapted to be fixed to the door in suitable fashion as by bolting the plate 22 to the edge of the door in the proper location. A rectangular opening 24 is provided through the plate 22, substantially midway between the top and bottom edge thereof and the edges of such opening are flanged inwardly as indicated at 26. A housing 28, rectangular in cross section, is disposed within the opening 24, has-one end thereof open as indicated at 30, and is suitably fixed to the flange 26 such as by welding.

A plunger 32 is slidably or reciprocably mounted on the plate 20 of the support. The plunger 32 has an offset portion 34 at the inner end there'- of which lies substantially in the plane of the plate member 20 and is slidably received within an elongated, substantially horizontal guideway 36 formed in the plate member 20. The guideway has a width substantially equal to the width or depth of the projecting portion 34 of the plunger. The guideway may be formed by stamping a projection of proper shape in the plate 28 forming guiding ledges 38 (Fig. 2) upon which the plunger is reciprocably mounted through the sliding engagement of the portion 34 therewith. The inner face of the guideway is closed. The guideway is also of such a length as to permit reciprocal movement of the plunger within predetermined limits.

The plunger 32 has another portion in at the outer end, which portion is, complementary in shape to the shape of the opening and of the housing 28. Such enddfl terminates in a reduced portion 42 having a shape which will be described in detail hereinafter and which is adapted to project within the housing 28 when the plunger is in its outer or projected position.

The top and bottom surfaces of the reduced end 42 of the plunger are provided with similar cam surfaces, respectively. .Each of such surfaces moves outwardly from a plane datum surend having the cam surfaces thereon may be covered with a cover or sheath member indicated at 52 (Fig. 9) which is adapted to be secured over the reduced end of the plunger. Such cover 52 is preferably formed of a hard spring steel with the top and bottom portions having shapes corresponding to the shapes of the top and bottom surfaces of the plunger above described and being indicated by primed numerals to indicate the corresponding surfaces. In order to retain the member 52 in position, recesses 58 are formed in the top and bottom surfaces of the plunger and are adapted to receive therein tabs or projections 56 formed in the member 52.

For purposes of simplicity in description, the same numerals used above toindicate the cam surfaces on the plunger are also used to indicate the same cam surfaces on the cover 52 since these surfaces may be considered as the same in so far as the present invention is concerned.

The outer face of the reduced end 42 of the plunger is provided with a transversely extending recess 58 extending thereacross, and the overlying end face 6!] of the cover 52 has provided thereon a punched-in portion 62, the sides of which taper inwardly and converge with respect to each other. Such sides serve as a guide for the plunger as it is reciprocated with respectto the housing 28, through the cooperation of such sides with an in-struck tab 64 (Figs. 3 and 6) formed in the outer wall of the housing 28 substantially centrally thereof. It will thus be appreciated that as the plunger moves from its retracted position shown in Fig. 6 to its projected position shown in Fig. 3, as the plunger approaches the end of its travel the tab 64 will cooperate With the sides of portion 62 in providing aligning means so that the plunger is properly aligned with respect to the housing.

Means are provided for withdrawing the plunger 32 from its projected position through the turning of the door handle M and also by turning the inside door handle. Such means includes an upstanding lever member 66 pivotally connected at 68 to the offset end 34 of the plunger 32. .The upper end of the lever 66 is disposed between a cover member 10 and the inner face of the plate member 29. The cover member 10 is mounted on the plate member 2&3 in spaced relation thereto along its vertical sides, leaving openings at the top and bottom thereof. The lever 66 thus projects above the top of the casing member 10 terminating in an offset upper end 12 which provides a cam bearing surface M.

An upwardly extending lever member 16 is fixedly mounted on the square shaft 86 through a square opening 18 therein. A circular hub portion surrounds the square opening 18 and is received within a circular bearing opening 82 formed in the casing member 70. The shaft 16 is thusrotatably mounted with respect to the casing-III and the support 26. The member I6 has an offset upper end 84 provided with a bearis constantly and resiliently urged toturn in a clockwise direction, viewing Figs. 3, 6 and 11, through the action of a spring element 88. The spring element 88 is mounted to the casing it by means of connection with a struck-out tab 90. The lower end 92 of the spring bears against the plate member 22, and the upper end 94 is hooked and connected to the'member lithrough an elongated slot 96, above the shaft It.

By turning the handle so that the shaft is turned in a counter-clockwise direction, viewing the above-mentioned figures, against the action of spring 88, it will be evident that the bearing edge 86 bears against the cam edge It of the lever 66 tending to turn such lever in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot 68. The lower end of the lever 66 abuts against a stop 98 formed by striking in a tab in plate 2t. Since the lower end of lever BIS-is thus limited in its counter-clockwise movement it will be appreciated that the pivot point 68 is caused tomove toward the left of the above-mentioned figures, thus causing the plunger 32 to also move to the left, retracting the plunger from its projected position.

Means are provided by which the plunger is constantly and resiliently urged toward its projected positions. Such means include a spring element 99 having one end thereof anchored between struck-in tabs formed in plate member 20. The other end I02 of the spring 99 depends to a position behind and against lever 68 at a point in substantially horizontal alignment with the pivot 68. It willthus be seen that the spring 99 resiliently and constantly urges the plunger toward the right of the above-mentioned figures, or to its projected position.

In order to retract the plunger 32 from its projected position from the inside of the car the usual inside operating handle IQ I is provided which is connected through anoperating link I535 to the lower end of lever 65. The link N35 is pivotally connected to the lever 66 at pivot I08.

When the inside handle IM is turned the link I06 is pulled toward the left, viewing Figs. 3, 6 and ll, thereby tending to turn the lever 68 in a clockwise direction about the pivot 68. f'he upper end I2 of lever 66 is thus moved into bearing engagement with bearing surface 86 of the member I6. Since the turningof member I6 is thus limited in a clockwise direction, the lever 66 will fulcrum about the point of engage ment between the upper end 'I-2' and member I so that the pivot point 68 moves toward the left of the above-mentioned figures and thereby retracts or moves the plunger toward the left. The movement of the lower end of the lever 66 in this direction is limited by means of a stop i-Hi formed by striking in a tab in member 2-0 so that such stop liesin the path of movement of the lower end of the lever 66.

One of the. features of the present invention relates to the details of construction through which the turning of the shaft I6 in a counterclockwise direction, viewing Fig. 3, is limited and through which rattling of the door handle is prevented. This is best brought out in Figs. 4 and'5 in which it will be seen that the end of all) all

portions of the opening more or less curved to permit freedom of movement of the corners of the square shaft I8. I

It will thus be seen that when the shaft I6 is in the position shown in Fig. 4 certain of the sides of the corners of 'the'shaft bear against the adjacent straight sides of projections I It so that viewing this figure'such sides form a stop against movement of the shaft It in a counterclockwise direction. The shaft is, however, free to be turned in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 5 fora limited distance when the opposite sides adjacent the corners abut against the next adjacent sides of the projections I I4, thus forming stops against further turning of the shaft in this direction.

The plunger is in its withdrawn or retracted position when the elements are in the position shown in Fig. 5 andis in its normal or projected position when the elements are in the position shown in Fig. 4. It will thus be seen that when the elements are in the position shown in Fig. 4 that the spring 88 urges the member It to turn ina counter-clockwise direction and the corners of, the shaft It are thus resiliently urged against the adjacent sides of the projections I I6 as illustrated. This therefore prevents rattling of these elements.

As the plunger 32 is reciprocated with respect to the support 26 and with respect to the housing 28, the plunger actuates latching means which are adapted to latchingly engage and be released from a keeper generally indicated at H5. The keeper HE includes a U-shaped keeper II8, having sides I2Il, which is fixedly secured to a mounting plate I 22. The keeper is mounted on the pillar of the vehicle through the plate I22 in such a position that the open end of the U- shaped keeper is disposed outwardy of the vehicle in the path of movement of the housing 28 as the door is swung from open to closed position, sothat the housing 28 passes through the open end of the U-shaped keeper H8 between I the sides I20 thereof.

The facing surfaces of the sides I20 are each provided with a plurality of alternate troughs i2 1 and crests I25 which extend transversely of the sides, thus providing cam surfaces I28. It

should be emphasized at thi point that the cam surfaces I28 on the lower side of the keeper are slightly staggered or offset from the cam action will take place through engagement of these surfaces by cooperating movable latching means. The inner surfaces of the U-shaped keeper H8 maybe lined with a suitable liner of a hard spring material, such as that shown in Such opening is of Figs. 13 and 14, or such liner may be dispensed with as shown in Fig. 15. Either one of such constructions may be used within the scope of the present invention.

In order to provide the latching action between the housing 28, mounted on the door, and the keeper I I8, mounted on the pillar, latching means in the form of balls I30 are provided. Such balls are movably disposed within the housing 28, one of such balls being provided on each of the top and bottom sides of the reduced end of the plunger 32.

It will be noted that these balls are arranged in substantial vertical alignment and that these balls cooperate with the cam surfaces I28 which, as explained above, are arranged in staggered relation or out of vertical alignment. It will be apparent that as a result of this construction, the ball in their engagement with the cam surfaces never arrive at a dead center position but at all times are arranged in such a way that either one ball or the other is directly engaged with one of the cam urfaces. The advantage of this construction resides in the fact that inasmuch as one of these balls is always engaged with one of the cam surfaces, there is present in the structure a force which at all times tends to move the door toward closed position.

Aligned openings I32 are provided through the top and bottom walls of the housing 28 and such openings are of such size that portions of the balls I30 may project therethrough.

It will be noted that these openings I32 are preferably of a size considerably larger than the portions of the balls which project therethrough. Consequently, the balls may be permitted to roll upon the cam surfaces I28 thereby allowin for changes or variations in the space between the jamb face of the door and the jamb face of the door opening. This is regarded as a particularly important feature of the present invention inasmuch as in automotive vehicle bodies considerable variation and change takes place in this spacing due to flexing of the body during its use.-

Inasmuch as this variation is bound to be present, the present latch construction affords an arrangement Which permits this relative movement to take place virtually without resistance without at the same time impairing the functioning of the latch mechanism. It will be seen that longitudinal movement of the balls I30 in the troughs I28 can take place throughout an appreciable distance without altering the latch ing action of the mechanism.

The halls are disposed within the housing and one of such balls is positioned above the top surface of the reduced end 42 of the'plunger 32 while the other ball is disposed under the bottom surface thereof. Each of such balls is movable with respect to the surfaces 44, 46, and 48 on that side of the plunger to which the ball is disposed. The action of the balls I36 with respect to the adjacent cam surfaces, adjacent openings through the housing openings, and the latching portions of the U -'shaped keeper H8 is the same for each of the balls so that a description for one will suffice for both.

Each ball I30 is mounted Within the housing and is resiliently urged toward its cam surface 46 by means of a resilient mounting means. Such resilient mounting means comprises a resilient sheet metal strip having a plate-like portion I34 provided with a circular aperture I36 therethrough, the aperture I36 being of a smaller diameter than the maximum diameter of the ball I30. Another plate-like portion I38 is integrally formed with the plate-like portion I34 and serves to keep the ball I30 from dropping entirely out of the opening I36, particularly when such ball is being mounted within the housing. The plate portion I38 has, therefore, a recess I40 providing a pair of fingers I42 which are adapted to project to such a position behind ball I30 that such ball may drop within the recess I40 but will be engaged by fingers I42 and thereby prevented from dropping entirely out of the opening I36. A resilient attaching portion in the form of an elongated strip I44 is formed integral with the platelike portions I34and I38 and is bent with a substantially straight, side portion I46 terminating in a hooked end I48. In mounting the resilient mounting means within the housing 28 portions I50 of the plunger are removed so that the side portions I46 extend along this one side of the plunger with the hooked end I48 snapped around the inner open edge of the housing 28. Each of the hooked ends I48 has an in-struck tab portion I52 which is adapted to be snapped behind a flange I54 formed around the inner open edge of the housing 28.

When the balls I30 are disposed within the housing 28 by the mounting means above described, it will be evident that such ball members are resiliently urged to a predetermined position within the housing. When the plunger 32 is in its projected or outward position, the ball members I30 are resiliently urged against their respective cam surfaces 46 so that such ball members are urged outwardly, by the action of such cam surfaces, through openings I 32 in the housing.

The above described mounting of the ball members, as is clearly seen in Fig. 9, is sufficiently resilient to permit the above mentioned longitudinal movement of the balls in the troughs I28 to take care of variations in spacing between the jamb face of the door and the jamb face of the door frame.

When the door is moved from open to closed position, with the plunger projected, it will be evident that the housing enters the U-shaped keeper II8 through the open end thereof. The balls I30 abut against the interior surfaces of the keeper I I8, and such balls are freeto move in- Wardly of openings I32, since the crests will cause the balls to ride down cam surfaces 46 against the action of the spring mounting means. Since the balls are resiliently urged outwardly, as such balls pass each of the troughs I24, they will be urged toward the bottom of said troughs; and,

depending on how far the door is pushed closed,

will seat in one of such troughs.

When seated within any of the troughs, the

door is positively latched against opening, unless the plunger 32 is withdrawn by turning the door handle. This is due to the wedging relationship on the balls between the cam surfaces 46 and I28. Any force applied to pull the door open, without retracting the plunger, will merely cause the balls I30 to be urged farther outwardly of the openings I32 by cam surfaces 46 into tight latching or wedging relationship with surfaces I28.

If the balls have stopped inside the first crests, the door cannot be opened, but is free to be further shut since the balls will drop away from openings I32 as they pass over the crests I26, but will be wedged against the cam surfaces I28 upon any attempt to force the door open without retracting the plunger.

To open the door, it is merely necessary to turn one of the operating handles, as described above,

so that the plunger 32 is'retracted. When, the plunger isthus retracted, the spring mounting meansfor the balls; 'which'resiliently urges such.

. and the wedging action against cam surfaces I 23 is relieved. The door is then free to be pulled open.

It will be evident from the above description that while the door cannot be forced open while the plunger is in its projected position, the balls are, however, free to move transversely of the cam surfaces I28. A small clearance is provided between the end of housing 28 and the adjacent face of plate member I22, so that this transverse movement of the balls, with respect to the grooves or cam surfaces of the U-shaped keeper, may take place. This will permit movement between the door and door pillar in a direction in the plane of the door, which is important in compensating for such cont ngencies as body vibration.

The latching action of the constructionabove described is positive, while the effort required to close the door is slight.

Also, according to the structure of the present invention, means are provided by which the latching mechanism may be locked either from the inside or the outside of the car. In locking the latching mechanism from the outside of the car, the structure is such thata conscious operation must be performed by the vehicle operator so as to reduce the possibility of. such operator locking himself out of his car.

Such means includes a stop which is movable to a position behind the plunger, so that such plunger is held in its projected or outward position. Another stop is provided which normally prevents the first mentioned stop from being moved to a position behind the plunger when the door is open, without performing an independent, conscious operation.

The above means comprises a vertically reciprocable stop member I69, which is slidably mounted on the outer face of casing 10. To provide for such movement,'an elongated aperture I62 is provided in the stop member I69-and is slidably mounted to casing 18 by a pair of spaced rivet members I64 which are fixed to casing 19 and have shank portions bearing against the sides of aperture I62 with enlarged headed portions. A spring element I66 bears against the outer surface of member I69 and is fixed to the rivets I64.

The upper end of such spring element I66 is provided with an inward projection or bubble I68, so that the member I6!) is resiliently urged against the casing 19. When the locking member I69 is in its upper or unlocked position, the depression I68 projects into the upper end of aperture I62, so that such member is normally held in this upper position. It may be forced down to its looking or stop position against. the action of spring member. I66 by means of an operating rod. I18, which is connected to the upper end of- The rod- I19 extends upwardly member I69. through the lower portion of the window frame and is connected to an operating button I12 in the usual way. It will thus be seen that by raising and lowering the button I12, the stop member I69 is correspondingly raised and lowered.

The locking action of the member I69is best shown in Figs. 6, 11, and 12. In Fig. 6,. the stop above the top of housing 28.

member I60 is in its upper position, so that the plunger is free to be retracted. The lower end of ber I69, the lower end of casing 10, behind the.

inner edge of projection I14, is offset, as indicated at I18in Figs. 10 and 11, sothat an edge I89 thereof bears against the adjacent edge of projection I14. It will thus be evident that any tendency of the'lower end of stop member I60 to give when a retracting force is applied to plunger 3! will be reinforced by the edge I89 of casing 10.

Another stop means is provided which is adapted to be positioned in or out of the path of movement of the stop I69, so that when it is in the path of movement of stop I60, such stop cannot be moved to its locking position without moving the second stop out of the way. This second stop comprises a generally U-shaped member- I82, having an upwardly disposed stop finger I 84- and another upwardly disposed operating finger. I86. The member I82 is pivotally connected at I88 to one of the side walls of the. housing 28, with the operating finger I86 normally projecting through an opening I99 in the housing, so that a portion thereof projects above the top wall of the housing. 1

The stop finger I 84 is normally urged inwardl When the door is closed, and when the casing 28 is therefore within the U-shaped keeper II8,

the inner surface of the top side of the keeper HS bears against the top edge of finger I86, thereby pivoting the stop I82 in a clockwise direction, viewed in Fig. 12,. so that the stop finger I84 ismoved out of the path of movement of projection I94 against the action of spring I92. Therefore, when the door is closed, the stop I69 may be moved downwardly to its stopping posi tion by the button I12.

However, when the door is opened, the spring I92 urges the stop finger I84 into the, path of downward movement of stop I69, under. projection I94, and the upper end of. finger I86 projects Thebutton I12 cannot then be operated to lock the plunger against movement to its retracted position. The stop finger I84 must first be moved out of the Way of projection I94, which can only be accomplished through a conscious effort on the part of the operator. This may be simply done'by depressing the finger I86 manually so that the upper end thereof is pressed against the top of casing 28, at-which time the stop finger I84 is moved out of the way of the projection. While the finger I86 is so held, the button I12 may be depressed to move the stop I69 to its position behind the plunger 32'. The door is free to be closed while the plunger is thus stopped against retractive movement.

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the invention described without departing from the spirit and substance of the invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A door latching mechanism comprising a supporting means, a housing on said supporting means having an opening through one wall thereof, a plunger slidably mounted on said supporting means and having one end thereof projecting into said housing, said projecting end being formed with a pair of adjacent flat cam portions on one surface thereof, a movable ball member disposed to engage said cam portions adjacent said opening, the construction and arrangement of said portions, said ball member and said opening with respect to each other being such that said ball may be projected through and permitted to withdraw from said opening through the disposition of the cam surface with respect to the ball member upon sliding movement of said plunger with respect to said housing.

2. A door latching mechanism comprising a supporting means, a housing on said supporting mean having aligned openings in the top and bottom walls thereof, a plunger slidably mounted on said supporting means and having one end thereof projecting into said housing, said projecting end being'formed with a pair of adjacent flat cam portions on the top and bottom surfaces thereof, movable ball members disposed to en gage the cam portions of said surfaces adjacent said openings, the construction and arrangement of said portions, aid ball members and said openings With respect to each other being such that said balls may be projected through their respecmeans having openingsin opposite walls thereof, a plunger slidably mounted on said supporting means and having one end thereof projecting into said housing, said projecting end being formed with cam portions on opposite surfaces thereof which face said openings, respectively, said cam portions sloping toward said openings, respectively, ball members disposed on said cam portions for sliding movement thereover; resilient means engaging said ball members normally urging said ball members to a predetermined position within said housing, the construction and arrangement of said cam portions, said ball members, and said openings being such that when said plunger is in one position said ball members are resiliently urged against said cam portions and outwardly through said openings and when said plunger is in another position said ball members are free to move away from said openings.

4. A door latch mechanism comprising a supporting means, a housing on said supporting mean having aligned openings in opposite Walls thereof, a plunger reciprocably mounted on said supporting means for reciprocable movement with respect to said housing and having one end thereof projecting into said housing, said projecting end being formed with a pair of adjacent fiat cam portions on each opposite surface thereof facing said openings, means disposed to be engaged by said cam portions for sliding movement with respect thereto, the construction and arrangement of said portions, said last named means and said openings with respect to each other being such that said means may be projected through their respective openings and permitted to withdraw with respect thereto through the disposition of the cam portions with respect to said last named means upon reciprocable movement of said plunger with respect to said housing, and guide means engaging said plunger as .it approaches it outwardly projected position.

5. A door latching mechanism comprising a supporting means, a housing on said supporting means having aligned openings in opposite walls thereof, a plunger reciprocably mounted on said supporting means for reciprocable movement with respect to said housing and having one end thereof projecting into said housing, said projecting end being formed with cam portions on opposite sides thereof facing said openings, respectively, ball members disposed within said housing on said cam portions for sliding movement with respect thereto, resilient means engaging said housing and engaging said ball members, positioning such ball members to a, normal position with respect to said housing, the construction and arrangement of said resilient means with respect to said cam portions and said openings being such that said ball members are urged outwardly through said openings by said cam portions when said plunger is in its outer projected position and said ball members are free to move away from said openings when position.

6. In a door latching mechanism, a housing having an opening in one wall thereof, a ball member disposed within said housing adjacent said opening, and resilient means mounting said ball member within said housing, saidresilient means having a portion substantially parallel to said one wall of said housing and having an opening in said portion adjacent the opening in said housing through which said ball member may project, said resilient means also including a spring portion engaging said housing and normally urging said ball member to a predetermined position Within said housing,

7. In a latching mechanism, a resilient, ball mounting element comprising a sheet metal strip having a plate-like portion provided with an aperture through which a portion of said ball is said plunger is in its retracted 1 adapted to project, and a resilient attaching portion connected to said plate-like portion.

8. In a latching mechanism, a resilient, ball mounting element comprising a sheet metal strip having a plate-like portion provided with an I aperture through which a'portion of said ball is portion.

9. In a latching mechanism, a resilient, ball mounting element comprising a sheet metal strip having a plate-like portion provided with an aperture through which a portion of said ball is adapted to project, another plate-like portion spaced from said first named plate-like portion and substantially parallel thereto, said another plate-like portion having means adapted to engage said ball to keep said ball in alignment with said aperture but permitting freedom of movement of said ball with respect to said aperture, and a resilient attaching portion connected to said plate-like portion.

10. In a latching mechanism, a resilient, ball mounting element comprising a sheet metal strip having a plate-like portion provided with an aperture through which a portion of said ball is adapted to project, another plate-like portion integral with said first named plate-like portion and disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation with respect thereto, said another plate-like portion having means thereon adapted to engage said ball to keep said ball in alignment with said aperture but permitting freedom of movement of said ball with respect to said aperture, and an elongated, resilient attaching portion integral with both of said plate-like portions.

11. In a door latching mechanism, a housing having an opening in one wall thereof, a ball member disposed within said housing adjacent said opening, and a resilient ball mounting ele-- ment mounting said ball member within said housing, said element comprising a sheet metal strip having a plate-like portion provided with an aperture through which a portion of said ball is adapted to project, said plate-like portion being substantially parallel to one wall of said housing and said aperture being adjacent the opening in said housing, means integral with said element to keep said ball in alignment with said aperture but to permit freedom of movement of said ball with respect to said aperture, and an elongated resilient attaching portion integral with said plate-like portion and having an attaching portion engaging said housing, whereby said ball member is urged to a predetermined position within said housing.

WILLIAM R. WILEY. 

